Milk and cheese, maxi searches in Colli al Metauro and Jesi. The Nas seized 200 tons. The Fattorie Marchigiane consortium is involved

Ten people involved

Three searches took place in as many companies with 10 people involved: the parent company is in the province of Ancona, in Jesi, while the subsidiary one is in the hinterland of Fano, in Colli al Metauro, the third company, which has logistical and administrative tasks, he is instead from outside the region. In the Pesaro area, the search that triggered the investigation concerned the dairy production site of Fattorie Marchigiane, the agricultural cooperative consortium belonging to the Cooperlat Group. In a laconic note the company states “that it has provided and will continue to provide maximum collaboration in carrying out the investigations, in the awareness of the constant and correct work of Fattorie Marchigiane”.

The investigations by the Pesaro Prosecutor’s Office aim to ascertain the use of adulterating and adulterating substances in the production circuit of dairy products intended for large-scale distribution. The searches and seizures began on Monday and the investigation activities involved over 60 judicial police officers including the NAS Carabinieri and the Fraud Suppression Inspectorate. Overall, approximately 90 tons of milk and 110 tons of dairy products were found, for a total of 200 tons seized as well as approximately 2.5 tons of adulterated substances, for a total value of just under 800 thousand euros. The investigation was based on the suspicion of the use of adulterants which would favor and stop the milk acidification process by intervening on the bacterial loads. The procedure would concern the same organoleptic characteristics of milk which, if left at a temperature above 6 degrees, sees the pH, i.e. the measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, lower and trigger a process that leads it to become acidic. Clearly, if a substance sours it becomes difficult to market due to its taste and smell, especially in the case of fresh products such as milk or certain types of cheese, especially if they are sold for certain characteristics. Not only that, a deterioration process is also triggered which leads to an increase in the bacterial load. The investigators’ suspicion is that substances may have been used, such as hydrogen peroxide for example, to stop acidification: elements which, among other things, have the characteristic of being volatile and which therefore disappear within a given period of time. or they may be difficult to trace. However, these would be substances that, if taken for a long time, could be harmful to your health. Hence the investigation and seizure aimed at ascertaining the complex phenomenon of adulteration and adulteration which was intended to cover and correct the poor state of conservation of products destined for large-scale distribution.

The minister’s applause

At the moment there would be no batches of “sophisticated” products in supermarkets. But the investigations continue. «I thank our Central Inspectorate for the tight controls carried out every day in our territory, in defense of the producers and the people who purchase – said the Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida – the ICQRF, together with the Nas of the Carabinieri, contributed to carry out an important operation, in the wake of the commitment against all types of counterfeiting and deception on Italian agri-food products. Quality, well-being and safety are strong elements of Made in Italy.”

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Read the full article at
Adriatic Courier